rose—

rose—

The right hon. Gentleman is being typically generous in giving way to Members from all parts of the House. He was just referring to the position of other member states. Yesterday, the Prime Minister told us, for the first time, that she would countenance an extension to the article 50...

The right hon. Gentleman is being typically generous in giving way to Members from all parts of the House. He was just referring to the position of other member states. Yesterday, the Prime Minister told us, for the first time, that she would countenance an extension to the article 50...

On the point about the purpose of an extension, what does my right hon. Friend think of President Macron saying that there is no way the EU would accept an extension without a “clear objective”? In his view, what should that clear objective be?

On the point about the purpose of an extension, what does my right hon. Friend think of President Macron saying that there is no way the EU would accept an extension without a “clear objective”? In his view, what should that clear objective be?

I am pleased to follow the hon. Member for South Dorset (Richard Drax), although I shall take a somewhat different tack. I shall make a couple of points about what the Prime Minister said yesterday about how things would be voted on in March, and about the related amendments on...

I am pleased to follow the hon. Member for South Dorset (Richard Drax), although I shall take a somewhat different tack. I shall make a couple of points about what the Prime Minister said yesterday about how things would be voted on in March, and about the related amendments on...

I think that it was a mistake to split them in that way, and I think that they need to be brought back together.

The future has been left blank. We know that we are leaving, and we are told that leave means leave, but leave to where, on what basis?...

I think that it was a mistake to split them in that way, and I think that they need to be brought back together.

The future has been left blank. We know that we are leaving, and we are told that leave means leave, but leave to where, on what basis?...

I will not, because others want to speak.

The fact that that is not being done is not because it is in the national interest to keep things vague or to have a blindfold Brexit. It is because facing up to those options would mean exposing the divisions in the Cabinet...

I will not, because others want to speak.

The fact that that is not being done is not because it is in the national interest to keep things vague or to have a blindfold Brexit. It is because facing up to those options would mean exposing the divisions in the Cabinet...

The Secretary of State has said that staff should continue to turn up to work and that they will continue to be paid, but he has also said that he is setting up a helpline at Jobcentre Plus. What assurance can he give the staff—I am thinking particularly of the...

The Secretary of State has said that staff should continue to turn up to work and that they will continue to be paid, but he has also said that he is setting up a helpline at Jobcentre Plus. What assurance can he give the staff—I am thinking particularly of the...

It is many years since the steelworks in my constituency closed. Some would say that the local economy has never fully recovered. My constituents therefore understand well the fear and worry that will exist in the community in south Wales and elsewhere in the country after the news today. Will...

It is many years since the steelworks in my constituency closed. Some would say that the local economy has never fully recovered. My constituents therefore understand well the fear and worry that will exist in the community in south Wales and elsewhere in the country after the news today. Will...

Is the Minister willing to invite potential buyers to the Department to talk about the Government's backing for manufacturing, what help might be available from the regional growth fund and all such issues that they might wish to discuss?

Is the Minister willing to invite potential buyers to the Department to talk about the Government's backing for manufacturing, what help might be available from the regional growth fund and all such issues that they might wish to discuss?

My hon. Friend makes a good point. I mentioned the rebate to give an example of what the Government can do. They are not powerless when companies have a global choice about where to locate and produce. Before I ask the Minister some specific questions, let me say that I...

My hon. Friend makes a good point. I mentioned the rebate to give an example of what the Government can do. They are not powerless when companies have a global choice about where to locate and produce. Before I ask the Minister some specific questions, let me say that I...

I, too, congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland (Tom Blenkinsop) on securing the debate, which coincides with this afternoon's Budget statement. If press reports are true, the statement's main concern will be the tax affairs of people earning more than £150,000 a year. Our...

I, too, congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland (Tom Blenkinsop) on securing the debate, which coincides with this afternoon's Budget statement. If press reports are true, the statement's main concern will be the tax affairs of people earning more than £150,000 a year. Our...

Seventeen hundred people will lose their jobs as a result of this statement, including 1,500 disabled people. The Minister's case rests on the argument that there are better ways to help disabled people into work than through Remploy. Will she therefore guarantee to come to the House six months after...

Seventeen hundred people will lose their jobs as a result of this statement, including 1,500 disabled people. The Minister's case rests on the argument that there are better ways to help disabled people into work than through Remploy. Will she therefore guarantee to come to the House six months after...

Will the Secretary of State tell the House what the cost to the Department of the redundancy payments in his announcement will be?

Will the Secretary of State tell the House what the cost to the Department of the redundancy payments in his announcement will be?

We have had many debates on post offices and Royal Mail in the House over the years, and we have often concentrated on the competition regime governing the different mail companies that are engaged in the delivery of mail. Less often, we have concentrated on the technological shift away from...

We have had many debates on post offices and Royal Mail in the House over the years, and we have often concentrated on the competition regime governing the different mail companies that are engaged in the delivery of mail. Less often, we have concentrated on the technological shift away from...

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what the (a) voluntary and (b) involuntary redundancy rates were in the public sector in (i) Leeds North West constituency and (ii) each industrial category in each year since 1997.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what the (a) voluntary and (b) involuntary redundancy rates were in the public sector in (i) Leeds North West constituency and (ii) each industrial category in each year since 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the (a) voluntary and (b) involuntary redundancy rates in the public sector were in each (i) region and (ii) industrial category in each year since 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the (a) voluntary and (b) involuntary redundancy rates in the public sector were in each (i) region and (ii) industrial category in each year since 1997.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what mechanisms are in place to protect the rights of employees who are likely to be made redundant; and what plans he has for the future of such mechanisms.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what mechanisms are in place to protect the rights of employees who are likely to be made redundant; and what plans he has for the future of such mechanisms.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many employers in (a) Essex and (b) Castle Point sought advice on redundancy issues from his Department in (i) the latest period for which figures are available and (ii) the same period 12 months previously.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many employers in (a) Essex and (b) Castle Point sought advice on redundancy issues from his Department in (i) the latest period for which figures are available and (ii) the same period 12 months previously.

Adjournment debate on the proposed closure of Diageo plants in Kilmarnock and Hurlford.

Adjournment debate on the proposed closure of Diageo plants in Kilmarnock and Hurlford.

I congratulate my right hon. Friend the Member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun (Des Browne) on securing this debate. I have spoken to him about this issue several times in recent weeks, and I know how much it means to him and to his constituents. He is of course deeply concerned...

I congratulate my right hon. Friend the Member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun (Des Browne) on securing this debate. I have spoken to him about this issue several times in recent weeks, and I know how much it means to him and to his constituents. He is of course deeply concerned...